Min-Kyu Choi, a London student, beat competition from the late fashion designer Alexander McQueen to the prize, which was awarded by artist Anthony Gormley. He described the design as "thought-through, responsive and modest", and said that it "shows intelligent, elegant and inventive design can make a difference to everyone's life".

After being judged as the winner by the likes of Tom Dixon and Janet Street-Porter, the plug will be on exhibition at the London Design Museum until 31 October 2010, and will hopefully then start making its way into some products. It's all very well saying how brilliant it is, but we'd very much like to see it in action. News on that front, for now, is scarce.